Telephone system



Jan. l, 1924 f 1,479,586

' H. D. cuRRn-:R

TELEPHONE SYSTEM Filed oct. 5, `1918 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 zmffrzlgft 5y @Wm/@wwf Fatented Jan. l, 1924.

UNHTED STATES I 1,479,586 eA'rENT orrice.

HIRAIvI D. CUB/BIER, OF CHCAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSGNOR- T0 KELLOGG SWITCHBOARD .AND SUPPLY COMPANY, Ol CHCAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATIONQF ILLINOIS.

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application mea octets' 5, 191s. serial no. 257,952.

To all whom z'z may concer/a:

Be it known that I, HIBAM D. Comuna, a citizen of the United States oi America, `residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State or" Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to telephone systems wherein parties at substations may establish connections between each other without the intervention of telephone exchange equipment, such systems being commonly known as intercommunicating or interior systems.Y

In systems of the above described type it has heretofore been necessary to furnish each subscriber with a key device having a key for each other subscriber in the system. 'lt will be at once apparent that such a system is limited to a small number of subscribers owing to the prohibitive ycost and size of a key device ot such size as to lmake it possible to have over, say about twenty subscribers in the system.

t is an object of my invention to so arrange the key device that an ordinary device having ten: keys or plungers may serve as many as one or two hundred subscribers.' I divide the subscribers into groups of ten and have a group or tens selecting brush that is capable of 'selecting any desired group of ten subscribers and which associates with the selected group the key device, which device may then be operated to select the particular subscriber wanted in thel selected group.

Another feature of my invention is the arrangement of a system as just described, so that the number' of subscribers may be increased at any time by merely adding new tiens sections to the key device. The addition of these sections does not increase the actual size of the key device. These features as well as others will be more` fully described in the ensuing specification, andin the appended claims.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which I illustrate my invention and in which like reference characters in the different views denote like parts and in which: Y Y

Fig. 1 is a side view of the combined key and switch unit with parts broken away to `show the construction.

Fig. 2 is plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a left side view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section view along the line 1--4 of F ig.' 2. 'i l Fig. 5 is a plan view of the switch unit with the enclosing casing broken away to more clearly illustrate its structure.

Fig. 6 isan end view of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a lett side view of Fig. 6, with the casing broken away, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view along the line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

Referring now more in detail to my invention as illustrated, it comprises Aa top plate 1 through which the plungers 2 extend,

each plunger 2 carrying a rectangular metal washer 3 which acts vas a stop to limit the upward movement of the plungers 2. A rectangular cushion member 4c is placed between the plate 1 and the washer 3 to act as a cushion when the plungers 2 are released and return to normal.

At each end of the bankvof keys K, l provide end plates 5 which are suitably fastened to the plate 1 by means of screws. The said plates 5 are provided with angular extensions 6 by which the plates 5 are secured to a suitable base 7 by means of screws 8, which screws have screw-threaded engagement with base 7. Mounted between the plates 5 are a pair of metallic mounting strips 9 suitably fastened to the end plates 5. The said strips 9 carry a plurality ofsets of Contact springs 10, 11, 12 and 13. The contact springs'lO,

11, 12 and 13 are suitably securedto the strips 9 by means of screws 14, and the springs 10, 11, 12 and 13 are suitably insulated from the strips 9 and from each other by means of strips of insulating material.

` Each plunger 2 carries a cam 15 of suitable insulation material such as hard rubber, the cam being adapted to engageits respective spring contact members 11 and 12 and move them into engagement with the spring contactl members 10 and 13 respectively when its associated button 16 is de-v pressed. A button 16 is provided for each plunger 2 and is secured to its associatedr plunger 2 in any suitable manner as by having screw-threaded engagement with the plunger end. The spring contacts 10, 11,

12 and 13 are connected to suitable circuits of an interoommunicating system. As cir-A cuits of this kind are well known and as my invention does not relate primarily to such circuits, it is thought unnecessary to 19 and 13 respectively.

describe these circuits in detail. rlhe plungers 2 are provided with cylindrical shanks 17 which lit into suitable openings in the strips 9, these openings serving as bearings tor the said plungers 2.

rllhe latch frame A comprises a pair ot upturned bars 13, adapted to slide in suitable notches 19 in the end plates 5, and a plurality or cross strips 29 formed integrally with the upturned bars 13. rllhe cross strips 29 rest in notches 21 in the plungers 2 When the plungers are in their normal positions. Vlhen, however, one ot the plungers is depressed, theV cam surface 22 of the plunger 2 engages a cross strip 20 causing the latch frame A to move to the right (as seen in F ig. 1) until the strip 29 disengages the cam surface 22 at Which time the latch trame is moved to the left thus moving the strip 2O into the notch 23 of plunger 2 as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1. The latch trame is forced back by spring tension such as by means of leail springs which are actuated by the latch trame against their normal tension. Any number or end springs may be provided according to the requirements of the circuits. The depression ot' a key plunger causes the cam which is secured to the plunger 2 to engage springs 11 and 12 and move them to their alternate positions into engagement with contact springs Each plunger has a coil spring 25 encircling its shank 17 to hold the plunger 2 in its normal position With the `cushion 4 engaging the plate 1. NOW, if a second plunger 2 is depressed While a plunger is in its depressed position,

Vthe latch trame moves to the right as just described and this causes the strip 2O that is resting in the notch 23 of the depressed key Vplunger to move out oi3 the said notch 23 allowing the said plunger 1Lhat is being held in indicating position, to restore to normal, and the second depressed plunger is held in its indicating position by a strip 29 moving into the notch 23 of the second plunger When the latch trame moves back to the left. rlhus it will be seen that depressing any ot the plungers to an indicating or Ylull depressed position releases any ot the other plungers which may have heen previously locked in indicating position. The plungers are also provided with cam surfaces 26 which cam surfaces are adapted to move the latch trame to the right when a plunger is moved to its fully depressed position. The engagement of cam surface 26 With the strip 2O moves the latch to the right to release any plunger that may be in its indicating position, and to actuate end contact springs to bring about circuit changes in the circuits associated With the keys. A. strip or" insulation 39 is suitably mounted upon the end plate 5 and carries a plurality of terminals 31 which serve as terminal connections. The end springs may be actuated either When a plunger is depressed to its indicating position or When operated to its iully depressed position.

leierringnovv to the group switch S at the rigl t hand side of Fig. 1 and referring more particularly to Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, it will be noted that the group switch S is provided With a mounting plate 35 provided With a flanged port-ion 36 by which the switch S is mounted as a unit upon the base 7 by means ot screws 37, which screws have sciieu'-tlirca.tled engagement with the base 7. r'he contacts or the hand-operated switch S are mounted in grougs and each group is a unit assembly. A unit or a group comprises a plurality of sets of contacts 33 and 39, preferably fourteen sets, there being as many sets of contacts as there are buttons, Which in the drawings are ten. The irst ten sets of contacts 38 and 39 are the line contacts, While the lower four sets of contacts are provided to take care of the battery, ringing, and other circuit connections involve-d -in an intercominunicating system. rlhe contacts 38 and 39 are assembled to make up a group of contact sets, fourteen in number, the contacts 38 and 39 being suitably insulated from each other by means ot strips of insulation 49 and each set ot contacts 38 and 39 being properly spaced by means ot the spacer blocks 42y which are of suitable insulation and insulate one set ot contacts 38 and 39 from the next adjacent set of contacts in the group. The group is suitably secured to the mounting plate 35 by means of screws 43.

Assuming that there are 55 substations connected to the system, then With my device a standard set of ten plunger keys, as already described, is provided and in addi tion there will be six groups of contacts mounted upon the plate for purposes to be more fully hereinafter described. These groups are radially disposed upon the plate 35. Nuts are provided for holding the separate units to the plate 35. -issociated with the groups of contactsl 38 and 39 is a hand- 'operated shaft 45 rotatably supported 'and secured to the mounting plate 35 by means of a nut 46, which nut 46 has screw-threaded engagement with the threaded end of the shaft 45. The shaft supportsthe setsl ot Wipers 47 and 43 there Ybeing as many sets of Wipers 47 and 43 as there are sets; ci contacts 33 and 39 Which Will be fourteen in number. rlhe Wipersl 47 and 43 are insulated rom each other by the insulation strip 50 and properly spaced upon the shaft 45 in. relation to the contacts 33 and 39 by means of the blocks of insulation 51 which insulate one set of Wipers from the other. A. sleeve or insulating material 49 insulates the Wipers from the shaft 45. ylhe Wipers 47 and 48 are clamped in position upon the shaft 45 between the Washer 52 and the shoulder 53 of the shaft 45 by means of a clamping nut 54 which nut 54 has screw-threaded engagement With the upper threaded portion of the shaft 45.

An enclosing casing or cover 55 fits over the keys and the switch S to protect the same from dust and is provided with a collar 56 secured to the cover 55 in any suitable manner and is provided With a central opening 57 of a size to receive the shaft 45 Which extends through the cover 55. A linger lever 60 is secured to the shaft 45 in any suitable manner as by means of a screw 6l and permits the operator of the device to rotate the shaft 45 and Wipers 47 and 49 into engagement with contacts 38 and 39 in the different groups.

The cover or casing 55 Which also covers the switch unit S has numerals from O to 9 to designate the number of the tens group. Should it be desired to call station 64 the handle 60 is moved until the Wipers are associated with the sixth tens group and then the units button 4 is depressed to call said station.

The Wipers 47 and 48 are provided with circular flanged portions 65 Which form contacting surfaces for commutator brushes as will now be described. A pair of coinmutator brush Wipers 66 and 67 is provided for each set of Wipers 47 and 48 which brush Wipers are suitably mounted upon the stud 68, which stud 68 is secured to the mounting plate 35 by means of a nut 69. A sleeve of insulation 70 is slipped over the stud 68 to insulate the commutator Wipers from the stud 68, the said Wipers 66 and 67 being suitably insulated from each other by means of an insulation strip 71 and properly spaced in relation to the Wipers 47 and 48 by means of insulation blocks 72, Which insulate one set from the other. There are fourteen sets of Wipers 66 and 67, the Wiper ends 66 and 67 permanently contacting With the circular body or flanged portions 65 of the Wipers 47 and 48. The brush Wipers 66 and 67 have terminal ends to which connections are attached. The first ten sets of Wipers 66 and 67 are electrically connected tc the ten plunger keys 2 and the other four sets of brushes are connected to battery, generator, etc. By connecting the keys 2 to the Wipers 66 and 67 it makes it possible to associate the keys 2 with any desired tens group of subscribers. The brush Wipers 66 and 67 are clamped in position on the stud 68 by means of a nut 75 which has screw-threaded engagement With the threaded end of the stud.

The cover 55 is secured to the plate l by means of screws 76, thus holding the cover against displacement. Assuming as before that there are fifty-five stations associated With the system, there would be six groups of contacts 38 and 39 in addition to the tens key plungers, and that the station 53 is Wanted, all that is necessary is to grasp the lever 6l and rotate the Wipers 47 and 48 upon the shaft 45 into engagement with the roup of contacts numbered 5 as shown in Fig. 2, and depress the key marked 3 and a connection is established With the substation 53, and by associating the keys l to l0 inclusively With the Wipers 47 and 48 any subscriber from l to 55 may be called. --Should the system be increased to one hundred stations, four more groups of individual group assemblies containing contacts 38 and 39 are mounted radially upon the plate 35 so that Wipers 47 and 48 may engage the different contacts 38 and 39 in the different groups so that With a device ofmy invention, it may be seen that an intercommunicating system up to one'hundred line is possible Without increasing the size of the apparatus. By adding groups of contacts 38 and 39, as the system increases, any number of stations may be operated up to one hundred, and one key construction Will serve for any size system. As illustrated, the apparatus is equipped to handle one hundred lines.

l/Vhile I have illustrated my invention in a specific form, I do not Wish to be limited to the same, as many changes and modifications may readily suggest themselves, and I, therefore, aim to cover all such changes and modifications as come Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. l

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v Y

1. A device of the character described, including a plurality of groups of passive contacts arranged to form a bank of'contacts, each group of contacts comprising a separate unitary structure, a mounting member for securing said bank of contacts in position, a spindle carrying a plurality of active contacts` for engaging said passive contactsy When said spindle is rotated, other groups of contacts arranged to form a bank and to be continuously in engagement with said active contacts, a key device including a plurality of plungers associated with said active and passive contacts, a contact controlled by each of saidplungers connected with an active contact of said group of active contacts, a manually operated member secured to the end of said spindle for rotating said group of active contacts over groups of said passive contact-s, to rest in engagement with a certain group of said groups ofpassive contacts, and also for manually restoring said active contacts to their normal position, means for then operating one of said plungers to select a desired passive contact in the elected group of passive contacts, mechanical mechanism whereby When one of said plungers is operated, one previously operated plunger Will restore, and a cover-cap for CIS said banl; ot contacts thereto,

cover-cap tor enclosing -ivliich said enclosing said key device and said banks et contacts, said cover-cap provided With an opening through Which said plungers eX- tend, and also provided with an oritice :tor

`recei ing the other end of said spindle to provide a bearing for said spindle to inaintain said spindle and active contacts carried thereby in operative relation with said groups o passive contacts.

2. A device et the character described ini cludin` a plurality of groups of stationary contacts forming a bank or contacts, each group ot contacts comprising a unitary structure, a mounting member for securing rotatable shaft provided `with a plurality oi' active contacts, said rotatable shafthaving its one end rotatably secured in said inounting plate, so that said active contacts engage said passive contacts when said sha-ift is rotated, other groups ot stationary contacts arranged to torni a bank oi` contacts and which bank ot conta-cts are constantly in engagement with aid active contacts, a key device including aphirality oi plungers associated with said active and stationary contacts, a second inounting nieniber having said plungers mounted thereon and also to which is secured said "first n'iounting ineinber, a said lrey device and saidh'active and stationary contacts, said cover-leap provided with an opening through plungers entend, said cover-cap provided with an ori ice, a collar secured to v`v`said cover-cap in said orifice, and adapted to rec ive the other end of said rotatable shatt toscrve as a bearing for said other end and to 'maintain said active contacts in operative relation with said stationary contacts, a manually operated nieniber secured to said rotatable shaft tor rotating saidV active contacts into engagement With a certan group o'fsaid i'irst groups of stationarycontacts, and ior restoring said shaft and active contacts to nornial, nieans for operating one of said plungers to select desired stationary contact in the group engaged by said active cts, and mechanical mechanism for re- I inc/ases leasing said one plunger when anotherv otl said plunger is subsequently operated'.

i device of the character described includine a plurality or" groups ot passive contacts arranged to torni a bank of contacts, each group ot contacts being a unitary structure, a mounting ineinber for niounting said bank of contacts tiereon, a rotatable shaft carrying a plurality of active contacts for engaging said groups ot passive contacts when said shaft is rotated and 'having its one end rotatably secured in said inounting incniber in operative relation to said passive contacts, another plurality o't'groups ot 'passive contacts arranged to 'torni a bank secured to said mounting ineniber and in constant eontactual engagement With said active contacts, a second mounting inernbc-r having said first mounting incinber secured thereto, a key device including a plurality oi plungers associated With said active and passive contacts and secured to said second nionnting ineinber, a cover casing tor enclosing said key device and said active and passive contacts, said cover casing provided with an critico, a collar secured to said cover casing in said'oritice, and adapted to receive said other end of said rotatable shaft to serve as albearing and to maintain said shaft and active contacts in operative relation with said passive contacts, a manually oper- Vated nieinber secured to said rotatable shaft third day ot October, 1918.

Hihi/alii D. CURRHR. 

